HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-19-HFAC-min
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes – 19 April 2022
Prepared by Massport Staff
Video of HFAC Meeting can be found on the Lincoln, MA Live Streams Page:
https://lincolntv.viebit.com/index.php?folder=Hanscom+Field+Advisory
Call to Order: HFAC Chairman Christopher Eliot called the meeting to order at 7:04pm
Announcements:
Chairman Eliot recording HFAC Meeting; welcomed all to 19 Apr meeting pursuant to Chapter 22 of Acts of 2022
Chairman Eliot provided new email HFAC@lincolntown.org to reach the Chairman on HFAC business
Chairman Eliot shared that the FAA named Billy Nolen to serve as Acting FAA Administrator on 26 March
Chairman Eliot announced that recent HFAC contributor Quiet Communities released a new policy statement
Chairman Eliot posted article about FAA fining passengers for unruly behavior onboard aircraft
Chairman Eliot reminded all 22 April is Earth Day with hope can make aviation more environmentally friendly
Chairman Eliot asked about postponed move of salt shed to a more environmentally friendly location
Amber Goodspeed advised that the US Open Golf Championship will be held at The Country Club in Brookline,
MA June 13-19 and as a result to expect increase in activity at airports in the region, including Hanscom Field, for
1-2 weeks before and after event
Minutes: The March 2022 Meeting Minutes were reviewed for approval
The March 2022 Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously with the following amendments:
o Handful of 2021 year dates that should have been 2022 in Minutes and Monthly Noise Reports sections
o Barbara Katzenberg’s question about impervious surface should indicate net decrease for all projects in total
Margaret Coppe asked for follow-up on Amber Goodspeed asking if Massport could host HFAC website
o Amber Goodspeed responded that Massport would not host HFAC website
o Chairman Eliot will start search for a host with towns; can post past Meeting Minutes on Lincoln site
o Margaret Coppe suggested asking how much space is required and who is required to do it
Cargo or Scheduled Commercial Passenger Services
Chairman Eliot asked Massport the two questions about Cargo and Scheduled Commercial Passenger Services
o Amber Goodspeed responded Massport has not been approached by heavy cargo or commercial scheduled
passenger service
Agenda Items: Topics discussed on published agenda:
Reformation of the Hanscom Field Advisory Committee; election of new Chairman
o Barbara Katzenberg nominated Christopher Eliot, Margaret Coppe seconded motion; reelected unanimously
Chairman Eliot addressed HFAC Zoom meetings post COVID; agreeable to continue Zoom meetings as allowed
o Distribution of the HFAC Zoom recording will be through the Lincoln website; more archival
o Emily Mitchell explained Bedford TV not a regular attendee so not every meeting posted; also added MA State
Legislature extended allowance for virtual meetings through 15 July with general expectation to extend further
o Margaret Coppe concerned about equal participation from those remote and in person with hybrid meeting
o Amy McCoy suggested an option of one annual meeting in person with rest of year remote
Mike Vatalaro reiterated new FAA representative still in flux; once appointed will schedule meeting with HFAC
o Chairman Eliot would like to query new Community Representative about FAA plan for unleaded avgas by 2030
o Thomas Hirsch commented only 33% of piston fleet can take low lead, lot of sub issues; articles on AVweb
Monthly Noise Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the March Report and noted that:
In March 2022 as compared to March 2021:
7am - 11pm operations decreased 2.2% in March 2022
Singles (including touch and goes) decreased 14.5% in March 2022
Turbo activity increased 14.6% in March 2022
Jet operations increased 13.5% in March 2022
Helicopter activity decreased 6.8% in March 2022
Night Operations (11pm-7am) increased from 146 in March 2021 to 198 in March 2022, a 35.6 % increase
Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the Capital Programs and
Third Party Development reports and noted that:
Salt Storage Shed relocation has been pushed to a later date but it is on the five year Capital Projects list
Preparations are being made to encapsulate the Ross Aviation at Pine Hill construction area with fencing
o Chairman Eliot wanted to thank Ross for their presentation at last HFAC and for foresight to add electric drops
Former Navy Hangar Land Swap appraisals have been completed and Massport Staff preparing for next steps
Site preparation work for T-Hangar relocation ongoing; foundation work will commence over the month
o There will be days where there may be 3-4 extra trucks per day
Bid has been closed and contractor selected for Taxiway R Maintenance; next step is to finalize contract
Emily Mitchell queried overlap of multiple North Airfield Projects; requested overview chart of timeline
Citizen Comments: Citizens commented on and/or asked about the following topics:
Chris Young having problem with being awoken by Boston Med Flight; does not understand their flight patterns
o Amber Goodspeed explained flight altitude is controlled in Class B airspace; pilots fly at prescribed altitudes
o Barbara Katzenberg also submits noise complaints for Boston Med Flight helicopters cutting routes
o Thomas Hirsch recapitulated as a helicopter pilot, once enter Class B airspace, restricted below 1,000ft
Jennifer Boles quoted study from Rutgers about noise pollution contributing to cardiac stress
Other Business: The proposed date for the next HFAC meeting is 17 May 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Future potential presentations: FAA Grant assurances and RNAV development by MIT Lincoln Lab
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Attendees: Christopher Eliot, Margaret Coppe, Barbara Katzenberg, Thomas Hirsch, Emily Mitchell, Amber Goodspeed,
Michael Vatalaro, Mark Wimmer, Jennifer Boles, Richard Baughman, Steve Gallus, Amy McCoy, David McCoy, Mike
Rosenberg, and Chris Young